~Pain Psychologists

 

I've seen two over the years. One I saw 3 or 4 times in order to learn biofeedback & the other I saw for an evaluation prior to seeing a new PM for a consult; however, I've never seen one regularly. I used a regular therapist familiar with CP management techniques, but not a specialist. I stuck with him for several years, but now I just see my psychiatrist.

Skeye

I saw a pain psychologist last year to help deal with my depression and teach me how to use meditation to overcome pain, plus provide me with someone to rant to. She was really good but I only had coverage for 6 visits.

Now I am being referred to a pain management clinic where there will be a team approach. I'm crossing my fingers that it will work for me. I do feel very insular at times, locked in with my pain days. I'm hoping it will give me a way out of those dark days. I found the hydro therapy brilliant because of the company as much as the physical help it provided, Being with others in similar pain was so good for me. Also used up my free visits, but I'll go again once I am elligible too.

Thanks for the article Dani, you're always thinking of everyone else, you're a very special person, golitho

http://www.4therapy.com/consumer/conditions/article/7282/489/I+Have+Chronic+Pain,+Why+Do+I+Need+a+Pain+Psychologist%3F

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	Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, And sorry I could not travel both And be one traveler, long I stood

Yes. Very helpful in alternative pain control techniques. Deep breathing, bio-feedback, imagery, expectations, etc, It was well worth my time to given a handful of pain control options that do not involve meds. For me they work, if I apply myself.

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Stella Marie

Moderator for Chronic Pain

Rare neurodegenerative /movement disorder called “Multiple System Atrophy”.  Mobility issues,, neuropathic pain,  spasticity, myoclonus, central apnea, collagenous colitis, joint and body pain, swallowing and respitory  involvement,  Implants: intrathecal pump & neurostimulator.  Extra features: O₂ & wheelchair.

 

 

Mike,
A trained psychologist, clinical social worker or counselor can teach a variety of skills that we can use to help with our overall pain management. Actually, hypnosis can be one of those skills, but it's more in the form of deep relaxation or biofeedback that you learn to do on your own. Or forms of meditation. Relaxing the body can help pain from worsening, depending on the cause, although I'm not saying it's a cure.

Also, strategies such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy can help us make decisions about how we are going to live with the pain; in other words, the pain is going to be there, and maybe can be managed with medications or other treatments, but we can have more control over how we think about the pain, and how much weight we give to it in our lives. It's definitely NOT about someone denying that we have pain, but helping to learn as many coping strategies as possible.

PaLady